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Bend definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

BEND, [L.pando,pandare, to bend in; pando, pandere, to open; pandus, bent, crooked]
1. To strain, or to crook by straining; as, to bend a bow.
2. To crook; to make crooked; to curve; to inflect; as, to bend the arm.
3. To direct to a certain point; as, to bend our steps or course to a particular place.
4. To exert; to apply closely; to exercise laboriously; to intend or stretch; as, to bend the mind to study.
5. To prepare or put in order for use; to stretch or strain.
He hath bent his bow and made it ready. Psalms 7.
6. To incline; to be determined; that is, to stretch towards, or cause to tend; as, to be bent on mischief.
7. To subdue; to cause to yield; to make submissive; as, to bend a man to our will.
8. In seamanship, to fasten, as one rope to another or to an anchor; to fasten, as a sail to its yard or stay; to fasten, as a cable to the ring of an anchor.
9. To bend the brow, is to knit the brow; to scowl; to frown.
BEND, v.i. To be crooked; to crook,or be curving.
1. To incline; to lean or turn; as, a road bends to the west.
2. To jut over; as a bending cliff.
3. To resolve, or determine.[See Bent on.]
4. To bow or be submissive. Isaiah 60.
BEND,n. A curve; a crook; a turn in a road or river; flexure; incurvation.
1. In marine language, that part of a rope which is fastened to another or to an anchor. [See To bend. No.8.]
2. Bends of a ship, are the thickest and strongest planks in her sides, more generally called wales. They are reckoned from the water, first, second or third bend. They have the beams,knees, and foot hooks bolted to them, and are the chief strength of the ship's sides.
3. In heraldry, one of the nine honorable ordinaries, containing a third part of the field, when charged, and a fifth, when plain. It is made by two lines drawn across from the dexter chief, to the sinister base point. It sometimes is indented, ingrained, etc.
BEND, n. A band. [Not in use.]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a circular segment of a curve; "a bend in the road"; "a crook in the path" [syn: bend, crook, twist, turn]
2: movement that causes the formation of a curve [syn: bending, bend]
3: curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.) [syn: bend, curve]
4: an angular or rounded shape made by folding; "a fold in the napkin"; "a crease in his trousers"; "a plication on her blouse"; "a flexure of the colon"; "a bend of his elbow" [syn: fold, crease, plication, flexure, crimp, bend]
5: a town in central Oregon at the eastern foot of the Cascade Range
6: diagonal line traversing a shield from the upper right corner to the lower left [syn: bend, bend dexter] v
1: form a curve; "The stick does not bend" [syn: bend, flex] [ant: straighten, unbend]
2: change direction; "The road bends"
3: cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form; "bend the rod"; "twist the dough into a braid"; "the strong man could turn an iron bar" [syn: flex, bend, deform, twist, turn] [ant: unbend]
4: bend one's back forward from the waist on down; "he crouched down"; "She bowed before the Queen"; "The young man stooped to pick up the girl's purse" [syn: crouch, stoop, bend, bow]
5: turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest [syn: deflect, bend, turn away]
6: bend a joint; "flex your wrists"; "bend your knees" [syn: flex, bend]

Merriam Webster's

geographical name city central Oregon on the Deschutes population 52,029

Merriam Webster's

I. verb (bent; bending) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English bendan; akin to Old English bend fetter — more at band Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. to constrain or strain to tension by curving <bend a bow> 2. a. to turn or force from straight or even to curved or angular b. to force from a proper shape c. to force back to an original straight or even condition 3. fasten <bend a sail to its yard> 4. a. to cause to turn from a straight course ; deflect b. to guide or turn toward ; direct c. incline, dispose d. to adapt to one's purpose ; distort <bend the rules> 5. to direct strenuously or with interest ; apply <bent himself to the task> 6. to make submissive ; subdue intransitive verb 1. to curve out of a straight line or position; specifically to incline the body in token of submission 2. to apply oneself vigorously <bending to their work> 3. incline, tend 4. compromise 2 • bendable adjective II. noun Date: 15th century 1. the act or process of bending ; the state of being bent 2. something that is bent: as a. a curved part of a path (as of a stream or road) b. wale I,2 — usually used in plural 3. plural but singular or plural in construction the painful manifestations (as joint pain) of decompression sickness; also decompression sickness — usually used with the III. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French bende, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German binta, bant band — more at band Date: 15th century 1. a diagonal band that runs from the dexter chief to the sinister base on a heraldic shield — compare bend sinister 2. [Middle English, band, from Old English bend fetter — more at band] a knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to some object

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. v. & n. --v. (past bent; past part. bent exc. in bended knee) 1 a tr. force or adapt (something straight) into a curve or angle. b intr. (of an object) be altered in this way. 2 intr. move or stretch in a curved course (the road bends to the left). 3 intr. & tr. (often foll. by down, over, etc.) incline or cause to incline from the vertical (bent down to pick it up). 4 tr. interpret or modify (a rule) to suit oneself. 5 tr. & refl. (foll. by to, on) direct or devote (oneself or one's attention, energies, etc.). 6 tr. turn (one's steps or eyes) in a new direction. 7 tr. (in passive; foll. by on) have firmly decided; be determined (was bent on selling; on pleasure bent). 8 a intr. stoop or submit (bent before his master). b tr. force to submit. 9 tr. Naut. attach (a sail or cable) with a knot. --n. 1 a curve in a road or other course. 2 a departure from a straight course. 3 a bent part of anything. 4 (in pl.; prec. by the) colloq. sickness due to too rapid decompression underwater. Phrases and idioms: bend over backwards see BACKWARDS. round the bend colloq. crazy, insane. Derivatives: bendable adj. Etymology: OE bendan f. Gmc 2. n. 1 Naut. any of various knots for tying ropes (fisherman's bend). 2 Heraldry a a diagonal stripe from top right to bottom left of a shield. b (bend sinister) a diagonal stripe from top left to bottom right, as a sign of bastardy. Etymology: OE bend band, bond f. Gmc

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bend Bend, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bended or Bent; p. pr. & vb. n. Bending.] [AS. bendan to bend, fr. bend a band, bond, fr. bindan to bind. See Bind, v. t., and cf. 3d & 4th Bend.] 1. To strain or move out of a straight line; to crook by straining; to make crooked; to curve; to make ready for use by drawing into a curve; as, to bend a bow; to bend the knee. 2. To turn toward some certain point; to direct; to incline. ``Bend thine ear to supplication.'' --Milton. Towards Coventry bend we our course. --Shak. Bending her eyes . . . upon her parent. --Sir W. Scott. 3. To apply closely or with interest; to direct. To bend his mind to any public business. --Temple. But when to mischief mortals bend their will. --Pope. 4. To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue. ``Except she bend her humor.'' --Shak. 5. (Naut.) To fasten, as one rope to another, or as a sail to its yard or stay; or as a cable to the ring of an anchor. --Totten. To bend the brow, to knit the brow, as in deep thought or in anger; to scowl; to frown. --Camden. Syn: To lean; stoop; deflect; bow; yield.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bend Bend, n. [See Bend, v. t., and cf. Bent, n.] 1. A turn or deflection from a straight line or from the proper direction or normal position; a curve; a crook; as, a slight bend of the body; a bend in a road. 2. Turn; purpose; inclination; ends. [Obs.] Farewell, poor swain; thou art not for my bend. --Fletcher. 3. (Naut.) A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to an anchor, spar, or post. --Totten. 4. (Leather Trade) The best quality of sole leather; a butt. See Butt. 5. (Mining) Hard, indurated clay; bind. 6. pl. (Med.) same as caisson disease. Usually referred to as the bends. Bends of a ship, the thickest and strongest planks in her sides, more generally called wales. They have the beams, knees, and foothooks bolted to them. Also, the frames or ribs that form the ship's body from the keel to the top of the sides; as, the midship bend.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bend Bend, n. [AS. bend. See Band, and cf. the preceding noun.] 1. A band. [Obs.] --Spenser. 2. [OF. bende, bande, F. bande. See Band.] (Her.) One of the honorable ordinaries, containing a third or a fifth part of the field. It crosses the field diagonally from the dexter chief to the sinister base. Bend sinister (Her.), an honorable ordinary drawn from the sinister chief to the dexter base.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bend Bend, v. i. 1. To be moved or strained out of a straight line; to crook or be curving; to bow. The green earth's end Where the bowed welkin slow doth bend. --Milton. 2. To jut over; to overhang. There is a cliff, whose high and bending head Looks fearfully in the confined deep. --Shak. 3. To be inclined; to be directed. To whom our vows and wished bend. --Milton. 4. To bow in prayer, or in token of submission. While each to his great Father bends. --Coleridge.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(bends, bending, bent) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. When you bend, you move the top part of your body downwards and forwards. Plants and trees also bend. I bent over and kissed her cheek... She bent and picked up a plastic bucket... She was bent over the sink washing the dishes. VERB: V adv/prep, V, V-ed 2. When you bend your head, you move your head forwards and downwards. Rick appeared, bending his head a little to clear the top of the door. VERB: V n 3. When you bend a part of your body such as your arm or leg, or when it bends, you change its position so that it is no longer straight. These cruel devices are designed to stop prisoners bending their legs... As you walk faster, you will find the arms bend naturally and more quickly. VERB: V n, V • bent Keep your knees slightly bent. ADJ 4. If you bend something that is flat or straight, you use force to make it curved or to put an angle in it. Bend the bar into a horseshoe... She'd cut a jagged hole in the tin, bending a knife in the process. ? straighten VERB: V n prep, V n, also V n with adv • bent ...a length of bent wire. ADJ 5. When a road, beam of light, or other long thin thing bends, or when something bends it, it changes direction to form a curve or angle. The road bent slightly to the right... Glass bends light of different colours by different amounts. VERB: V, V n 6. A bend in a road, pipe, or other long thin object is a curve or angle in it. The crash occurred on a sharp bend. N-COUNT 7. If someone bends to your wishes, they believe or do something different, usually when they do not want to. Congress has to bend to his will... Do you think she's likely to bend on her attitude to Europe? VERB: V to n, V 8. If you bend rules or laws, you interpret them in a way that allows you to do something they would not normally allow you to do. A minority of officers were prepared to bend the rules. VERB: V n 9. If you bend the truth or bend the facts, you say something that is not exactly true. Sometimes we bend the truth a little in order to spare them the pain of the real facts. VERB: V n 10. see also bent, hairpin bend 11. If you say that someone is bending over backwards to be helpful or kind, you are emphasizing that they are trying very hard to be helpful or kind. People are bending over backwards to please customers. PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR to-inf [emphasis] 12. If you say that someone or something drives you round the bend, you mean that you dislike them and they annoy or upset you very much. (BRIT INFORMAL) And can you make that tea before your fidgeting drives me completely round the bend. PHRASE: V inflects [feelings]

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. v. a. 1. Curve, crook, bow, incurvate, flex, make crooked, deflect, draw. 2. Direct, turn, incline. 3. Exert, apply (earnestly), direct (attentively). 4. [Usually in the passive.] Incline, determine, resolve, set. 5. Subdue, cause to yield, bring to submission, make submissive, persuade, influence, mould, dispose, bias. 6. (Naut.) Fasten, make fast. II. v. n. 1. Crook deflect, deviate, swerve, diverge, incline, be crooked, be bent, be curved. 2. Lean, incline, turn, deflect, deviate, diverge. 3. Overhang, jut out, jut, beetle. 4. Bow, stoop, lower or lour, hang low. 5. Yield, submit, bow, stoop, kneel, give way. 6. Condescend, stoop, deign, be gracious. III. n. 1. Curve, curvity, curvature, flexure, angle, elbow, crook, incurvation, turn, turning, arcuation. 2. Bight, coil.

Moby Thesaurus

L, S-curve, aberrancy, aberration, accommodate, accommodate with, accord, achievement, adapt, adapt to, adjust, adjust to, affect, agree with, aim, aim at, alerion, angle, angle off, animal charge, annulet, apex, apply, arc, arch, argent, armorial bearings, armory, arms, assimilate to, azure, band, bandage, bandeau, bar, bar sinister, baton, be guided by, bear off, bearings, beat down, belt, bend, bend back, bend sinister, bend the knee, bend the neck, bend to, bending, bending the knee, bent, bias, bifurcate, bifurcation, bight, billet, bind, bind up, blazon, blazonry, bob, bob a curtsy, bob down, bordure, bow, bow and scrape, bow down, bow the head, bow to, bowing, bowing and scraping, brace, branch, branch off, branching off, break, break down, bring low, bring to terms, broad arrow, buckle, buckle down, bundle, cadency mark, cant, canton, cave, chain, change the bearing, channel, chaplet, charge, chevron, chief, chime in with, cinch, circuitousness, coat of arms, cockatrice, coin, collapse, color, comply, comply with, compose, conduce, conflexure, conform, conquer, contort, contribute, corner, coronet, correct, correspond, cower, crank, crescent, crest, cringe, cringe to, crook, cross, cross moline, crotchet, crouch, crouch before, crown, crumple, crush, curl, curtsy, curvation, curvature, curve, declination, decurve, deflect, deflection, depart from, departure, determine, detour, deviance, deviancy, deviate, deviation, device, deviousness, devote, diagonal, difference, differencing, diffract, diffuse, digress, digression, dipping the colors, direct, directionize, discipline, discursion, disperse, dispose, distort, divagate, divagation, divaricate, divarication, diverge, divergence, diversion, divert, do homage, do obeisance, do up, dogleg, dome, double, drift, drifting, duck, eagle, elbow, ell, embow, ermine, ermines, erminites, erminois, errantry, escutcheon, excursion, excursus, exorbitation, falcon, fall down before, fall in with, fell, fess, fess point, field, file, fit, fix, fix on, flanch, flatten, flection, fleur-de-lis, flex, flexure, focus, fold up, follow, fork, fret, fur, furcate, furcation, fusil, garland, geanticline, gear to, genuflect, genuflection, geosyncline, get down, gird, girdle, girt, girth, give, give way, gnarl, go, go by, griffin, grovel, gules, gyron, hairpin, hairpin turn, harmonize, hatchment, have a tendency, head, heel, helmet, heraldic device, hold on, homage, honor point, hook, humble, humiliate, hump, hunch, hunch down, impalement, impaling, inclination, incline, incurvate, incurve, indirection, induce, inescutcheon, inflect, inflection, influence, jaundice, knee, kneel, kneel to, kneeling, knot, knuckle to, kowtow, label, lace, lash, lead, lean, leash, level at, lion, look to, loop, lozenge, lurch, make a leg, make a reverence, make conform, make obeisance, making a leg, mantling, marshaling, martlet, mascle, master, meander, meet, metal, mold, motto, move, mullet, nod, nombril point, nook, obeisance, oblique, oblique angle, oblique figure, oblique line, obliquity, obsequiousness, observe, octofoil, or, ordinary, orle, overmaster, override, overwhelm, oxbow, pale, paly, pean, pererration, persuade, pheon, point, point at, point to, predispose, prejudice, prejudice against, prejudice the issue, prepossess, present, presenting arms, prompt, prostrate, prostration, pull, purpure, put down, quarter, quartering, quell, quoin, rambling, reconcile, rectify, recurve, redound to, reduce, reflect, reflection, reflex, refract, relax, relent, retroflex, reverence, rhomboid, ride down, rope, rose, round, rub off corners, sable, sag, salaam, saltire, salutation, salute, scatter, scrape, scratch comma, screw, scrouch down, scutcheon, separatrix, serve, servility, set, set toward, settle, shape, sheer, shield, shift, shifting, shifting course, shifting path, show a tendency, sight on, skew, slant, slash, slue, smash, soften up, solidus, splice, spread eagle, spring, squat, standing at attention, steer, stoop, straighten, strap, straying, subdue, subjugate, submission, submissiveness, submit, subordinary, suit, supination, suppress, swaddle, swag, swathe, sway, sweep, swerve, swerving, swinging, tack, tally with, tend, tenne, throw, tie, tie up, tincture, tinge, tone, torse, train, train upon, trample down, trample underfoot, transverse, tread underfoot, trend, tressure, truckle to, truss, turn, turn aside, turn awry, turn upon, turning, twist, tyrannize, unbend, unicorn, unman, vair, vanquish, variation, vary, vault, veer, verge, vert, vertex, virgule, wallow, wandering, warp, wear down, weigh with, welter, wind, wire, work, work toward, wrap, wrap up, wreath, wrench, wrest, wring, writhe, yale, yaw, yield, zag, zig, zigzag